"DIRECT CONNECTION" IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> Jeff: WELCOME TO "DIRECT CONNECTION" WE BEGIN ON LOCATION LITERALLY IN LEFT FIELD.

WE ARE STANDING IN THE OUTFIELD OF THE STATE'S NEWEST PRO SPORTS FACILITY.

THIS IS THE HOME OF THE HAGERSTOWN FLYING BOX CARS.

COMING UP, WE'LL FIND OUT IF IT IS A DAY TRIP YOU SHOULD CONSIDER.

BUT FIRST WE SPOKE WITH TEAM GENERAL MANAGER DAVID BLENCKSTONE.

WHAT IS A FLYING BOX CAR?

>> I HAD TO GOOGLE IT.

WE HAD TO NAME A TEAM CONTEST BACK IN JULY AND WE HAD A NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS AND FLYING BOX CAR WAS A POPULAR.

IT WAS A MILITARY AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURED AT THE FAIRCHILD PLANTED NORTH OF HAGERSTOWN.

ALONG WITH THE A10 AND DIFFERENT PLANES.

THE FLYING BOX CAR WAS A LARGE MOSTLY CARGO PLANE.

IT DID TRANSPORT SOME MILITARY PERSONNEL AS WELL THAT WAS POPULAR IN WORLD WAR I AND KOREAN WAR AND WORLD WAR II.

IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN HAGERSTOWN THE PLANTED HAS A RICH HISTORY.

IT'S HARD TO FIND ANYBODY IN HAGERSTOWN THAT DID NOT HAVE A GRANDPARENT OR PARENT THAT WORKED AT THE FAIRCHILD PLANT.

WE ARE HAPPY TO TIE THAT HISTORY INTO OUR NICKNAME AND IT IS A COOL LOGO, TOO.

>> Jeff: TELL BUS THE TEAMS?

THIS IS A START-UP IN TERMS OF NOT HAVING HISTORY AND TELL US ABOUT THE LEAGUE HAD AT THAT TIME YOU PLAY?

>> WE ARE A MEMBER OF THE ATLANTIC LEAGUE, A 10-TEAM LEAGUE.

OUR FRANCHISE IS A START-UP.

WE WERE I WAS EMPLOYEE ONE OF ONE LAST APRIL AND WE BUILT A STAFF OVER THE SUMMER AND FALL.

AND HAD THE NAME THE TEAM CONTEST.

AND DRIVEN BY OUR OWNERSHIP GROUP WE HAVE FOUR OWNERS THREE ARE LOCAL TO HAGERSTOWN AND ARE TRULY DESERVEDLY WELL RESPECTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT STARTS AT THE TOP WITH OUR OWNER HADSHIP GROUP.

IT WAS A START-UP OPERATION.

THANK GOODNESS THE GROUP WAS SMART ENOUGH TO HIRE CONSULTANTS BEFORE THEY HIRED ME.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FRANCHISE.

BUT THIS COMMUNITY HAD BEEN WITHOUT MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FOR FIVE YEARS WHEN THE SUNS LEFT IN 2019.

>> Jeff: AND YOU HAD BEEN A PART OF THAT?

THE MUNICIPAL STADIUM IT WAS PUSHING 100 YEARS OLD.

>> IT WAS 100 YEARS OLD THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS A CHALLENGING FACILITY.

I DID, I WORKED THERE FOR NINE YEARS FROM '930 '01.

AND GOT OUT OF BASEBALL INTO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS FOR TO 0 YEARS -- 20 YEARS AND DECIDED TO GET BACK INTO MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IT SOUNDED LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU DO TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS ON THE FIELD AND FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT?

I LOOK AT THE ADS YOU HAVE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH EARLY SALES.

>> I'M BLESSED TO HAVE A GREAT STAFF.

THERE'S SUCH A PALPABLE EXCITEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, TOO.

WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY SUPPORT WHICH IS OBVIOUS BY OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS AND SEASON TICKET HOLDERS THERE IS AN EXCITEMENT ABOUT GETTING BASEBALL BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

BUT THIS IS A WONDERFUL FACILITY.

I MEAN THIS IS TRULY THE NICEST MINOR LEAGUE BALL PARK I'VE SET FOOT IN AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE IT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: IT L THE STATE HAS A NUMBER OF MODERN MINOR LEAGUE BALL PARKS.

FRET RICK, BOWIE, SALISBURY, YOU HAVE A BIG AUDIENCE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WITHIN A 90-MINUTE DRIVE.

WHERE DO YOU EXPECT TO DRAW FROM?

>> OUR MARKET MIRRORS THE I-81 CORRIDOR.

FROM SHIP EPBSBURG TO CHAMBERSBURG PENNSYLVANIA SOUTH INTO WEST VIRGINIA AND WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA.

AND WEST TO CUMBERLAND AS WELL.

I KNOW THIS FACILITY WILL DRAW A LOT OF PEOPLE UP FROM DC AND BALTIMORE AND FREDERICK.

JUST BECAUSE IT'S SO NEW AND STATE-OF-THE-ART.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF BUZZ ABOUT THIS BALL PARK WE WILL GET FANS FROM ALL OVER THE REGION.

>> Jeff: MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DO YOU STILL NOT PLAY ON MONDAYS?

>> SO, WE ARE IN THE ATLANTIC LEAGUE AN INDEPENDENT LEAGUE.

SO WE ARE NOT PART OF THE AFFILIATED BASEBALL.

BUT THE ANSWER IS YES, WE DON'T PLAY ON MONDAYS EITHER.

TODAY IS AN OFF DAY.

WE MIRROR THAT SCHEDULE TUESDAY-SUNDAY SERIES WITH MONDAYS OFF.

WHOEVER INVENTED THAT DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT.

>> Jeff: NOW YOU ARE WORKING A MONDAY.

>> WE WORK ON MONDAY WE DON'T HAVE GAMES ON MONDAY.

>> MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS LEGENDARY FOR BEING GOOD AT MARKETING.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE BIG BUDGETS OF THE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS BUT YOU FIND A WAY TO FILL THE BALL PARK.

SO WHAT CREATIVE THINGS ARE YOU DOING TO FILL THE BALL PARK?

>> SOMETHING ALMOST EVERYDAY.

EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK ON TUESDAY WE HAVE A SILVER SLUGGERS PLAN WE HAVE A LOT OF SENIORS THAT PURCHASED SEASON TICKETS FOR OUR TUESDAY GAMES.

WEDNESDAYS WE HAVE DOUBLE DOG WEDNESDAYS WITH DISCOUNTS ON HOT DOGS AND PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR DOGS TO THE BALL PARK.

WE HAVE WATER BOWLS THROUGHOUT THE PARK.

THURSDAYS IS THIRSTY THURSDAYS FOR ADULT BEVERAGES AND FIREWORKS ON FRIDAYS AND GIVEAWAYS ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

BETWEEN INNING CONTESTS THAT ARE ENTERTAINING.

WE MIMIC THE PREAKNESS AND HAD THE BOUNCY HORSES AND THE KIDS TO MIMIC THE PREAKNESS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO SLUDGE THROUGH THE MUD.

>> Jeff: I DID LOOK AT THE CONCESSION STAND PRICING.

$3 HOT DOGS AND $8 BEERS YOU WILL SAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY VERSUS THE MAJOR LEAGUES.

>> I WOULD HOPE SO.

>> HOW ABOUT TICKET PRICES?

>> FROM $12 UP TO $22.

YOU CAN GET A WALK UP TICKET FOR DIFFICULT 12 FOR FAMILY NIGHT OR DATE NIGHT.

WE TRY TO KEEP PRICING AFFORDABLE AND PROVIDE THE QUALITY THAT PEOPLE EXPECT WHEN THEY WALK INTO A FACILITY LIKE THIS AS WELL.

>> Jeff: ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT VIEWERS AROUND MARYLAND AND BEYOND TO KNOW ABOUT THE FLYING BOX CARS?

>> IT'S BEEN A WHIRLWIND AND IT'S THE RECEPTION WE'VE GOTTEN THE REACTION IN THE BALL PARK AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BEEN SO POSITIVE.

YOU PUT SO MUCH WORK INTO IT AND THERE'S ALWAYS THAT LITTLE BIT OF THE UNKNOWN.

BUT TO SEE ALL OF OUR STAFF'S WORK COME TO FRUITION AND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS ENTERTAINMENT TO PEOPLE AND TO HAVE THEM ENJOY IT AND APPRECIATE IT HAS BEEN REWARDING.

>> Jeff: DAVID BLENCKSTONE WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

BEST OF LUCK THIS SUMMER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: JOINING US JOHN BARR PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE PLACE TURNED OUT?

>> THE PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.

THERE ISN'T A BAD SEAT IN THE STADIUM.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, I THINK THE CITIZENS OF HAGERSTOWN AND WASHINGTON COUNTY ARE PLEASED.

THE VENUE IS A GREAT ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY PROPERTY VALUES AROUND HERE HAVE INCREASED AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

MANY OF THE ADJOINING PROPERTIES ARE IN TRANSITION OF RENOVATION AND UPGRADES.

SO IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY.

>> Jeff: HOW DO IT GET TO THIS POINT?

I REMEMBER THE OLD MUNICIPAL STADIUM WHICH WAS PRETTY OLD AND NOT THIS SITE.

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE TO GET TO OPENING DAY HERE?

>> WELL, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF A NEW STADIUM FOR 15-20 YEARS.

THE OLD SITE WAS NOT CONDUCIVE IT WAS A LOW-LYING AREA AND SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN OR OTHER ISSUES.

THERE WAS DIFFERENT MINDSETS OF THE INTERSTATE AND EASIER ACCESS OFF THE INTERSTATES IT KEPT COMING BACK TO DOWNTOWN HAGERSTOWN AND THE FOLKS MOST INTERESTED ABOUT DOWN HERE WAS HELP THE INNER CORE OF THE CITY AND, I THINK, IT DEFINITELY HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK.

>> Jeff: WHAT WAS THE POLITICAL ARGUMENT FOR DOING IT WITH STATE MONEY?

WHEN THE STATE IS DOING ALL KINDS OF STADIUMS OR RACETRACK AND HAS DONE OTHER MINOR LEAGUE PARKS WHICH MAYBE WORKED IN YOUR FAVOR?

>> I THINK SO.

THE MOSTLY THE LOCAL TAX BASE CITIZENS A LOT OF THEM DIDN'T WANT THEIR TAX DOLLARS GOING TO A SPORTING EVENT ESPECIALLY OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

THE STADIUM AUTHORITY WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER AND, AGAIN, WITHOUT THEM, IT WOULD HAVE NEVER BECOME A REALITY.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE VIEWERS ALL OVER THE STATE METRO WASHINGTON, METRO BALTIMORE AND GET HERE IN 90 MINUTES.

WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT FOR CATCHING A GAME WITH THE FLYING BOX CARS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I CAN MAKE IT PERSONALLY IN LESS THAN 90 MINUTES BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY.

YEAH, IT'S EASY TO GET TICKETS ON-LINE.

THERE IS A LOT OF OPEN SEATS.

AND WE INVITE EVERYONE TO COME JOIN IN THE FUN HERE.

>> Jeff: THE ONE THING HAVEN'T BEEN HERE FOR A FEW MINUTES I DON'T SEE A LOT OF PARKING.

WHAT IS THE PLAN ON THAT?

>> IF YOU LOOK BEHIND YOU THE FORMER MAIL BUILDING THERE IS A FIVE STOREY PARKING DECK UNDER CONSTRUCTION IT WILL BE FINISHED AROUND THE FIRST PART OF AUGUST AND THERE IS A FAIR AMOUNT OF PARKING.

>> Jeff: WHAT BECOMES OF THE OLD SITE, IT FLOODS?

>> WELL, THEY HAVE BUILT IT UP THERE IS A $20 MILLION INDOOR TWO-SECTION SPORTING COMPLEX AT THAT TIME THE CITY OF HAGERSTOWN IS BUILDING.

AND SO THERE'S GREAT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE TRANSPIRING ON THAT FORMER SITE.

SO, AGAIN, WIN-WIN FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: TELL US HOW THE COMMUNITY IS DOING OVERALL?

WASHINGTON COUNTY GOT THE PRICELESS INTERSECTION OF TWO INTERSTATES AND I'VE SEEN THE BIGGEST WAREHOUSE I EVER SAW IN MY LIFE YOU CAN SEE IT FROM 70.

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

OUR WONDERFUL GOVERNOR MOORE WAS HERE A WEEK AGO AND DEDICATED THE 2.1 MILLION SQUARE FEET AND THE LARGEST BUILDING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

SO, YEAH,.

>> Jeff: BUILDING OF ANY KIND?

>> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, YES.

PERSONALLY I REFUSE TO CALL THEM WAREHOUSES I CALL THEM BIG BUILDINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE BIG AND WELL BUILT OVER TIME, BUSINESS TRANSITIONS YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF LIGHT MANUFACTURING AND A LOT OF OTHER VENUES GOING ON MORE SO THAN LOGISTICS AND WAREHOUSING.

>> Jeff: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT VIEWERS TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR COUNTY, WASHINGTON COUNTY?

>> WE'RE EXCITED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

PLEASE COME VISIT AND SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE.

THINGS ARE GOOD IN WASHINGTON COUNTY.

OF WE GOT A LOT TO OFFER.

WE HAVE THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS WHICH IS FREE.

IT'S SECOND TO NONE.

AND MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY WOULD BE ENVYIOUS TO HAVE THE MUSEUM WE HAVE.

GOT TO PUT A PITCH IN THE FOR THE MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MANY PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

AND WE ARE NOT THE STATE CAPITAL AND NOT THE LARGEST MUNICIPALITY FOR 40 YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE SIM PHONE SYMPHONY HERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF AMENITIES.

PEOPLE DON'T GIVE US A LOT OF CREDIT THEY SOMETIMES DON'T UNDERSTAND.

VERY PROUD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU, SIR, WE APPRECIATE THE TIME.

NOW TO THE DEAL FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND TO TAKEOVER PIMLICO RACE COURSE.

OUR CHARLES ROBINSON SPOKE WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS.

>> THE HORSES COME FROM ALL OVER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND JEWEL OF THE TRIPLE CROWN.

ALREADY HERE IS CONDITION KEN DERBY WINNER MYSTIC DAN.

OUTSIDE THE GATES THERE IS A BUZZ.

MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OTHERS KNOW A CHANGE IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

>> SO AFTER THE PREAKNESS THE TRACK REVERTS TO THE STATE.

BUT IT WON'T JUST BE THE RENOVATIONS AT THE TRACK THAT WILL BE UNDERWAY BUT THERE WILL BE RENOVATIONS AND NEW IDEAS IN THE COMMUNITY.

DANIEL PINNEDDER IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT SAW A NEED AND FILLED IN THE GAP.

>> WE HAVE YOUTH AGED 14-21 TO START BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

>> PENDER WAS ABLE TO USE TWO LOCAL RECREATION CENTERS TO BRING KIDS IN TO WORKOUT THE KINKS.

YOUTH WORKS A BALTIMORE INITIATIVE LOOKS TO PROVIDE IF YOU OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SINCE 2015, IT WAS A SUMMER PROGRAM.

NOW IT IS YEAR-ROUND.

IT CAUGHT AT TENSION OF THE GEORGE E. MITCHELL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION THE GRANT WAS ESTABLISHED TO INSPIRE PARK HEIGHTS LEADERS TO IMAGINE AND IMPLEMENT A CREATIVE AND PUBLIC-FACING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.

>> THIS GRANT WILL BE ABLE TO USE OUR IN-PERSON CURRICULUM AS AN ON-LINE OPTION.

SO IT'S CREATING AN ON-LINE COURSE FOR YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THE GROUP WILL GET A CHANCE TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE DAY BEFORE PREAKNESS AT BLACK EYE SUSAN DAY A RACE NAME FOR MITCHELL WILL HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANT WORK, EXCELLENCE AND AMBITION IS DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT YOUR HEALTH IS LINDSAY GOFF, NURSE AND STROKE COORDINATOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UPPER CHESAPEAKE HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

IT IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH.

WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE MOST AWARE OF CONCERNING STROKES?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC TO TAKE FROM THIS.

IS FIRST RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF STROKE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CALLING 911 IMMEDIATELY.

ALSO HOW TO PREVENT STROKES.

PRIMARY PREVENTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING RELATED TO STROKE.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE A STROKE.

THE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE IS SOMETHING WE CAN PREVENT BY MODIFYING RISK FACTORS.

>> Jeff: LET'S START WITH RECOGNITION.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SYMPTOMS AND THE IDEA THAT IT IS AN EMERGENCY.

YOU NEED TO GET CARE QUICKLY.

IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE IN PRACTICE?

>> YES.

WE SAY TIME IS BRAIN BECAUSE EVERY MINUTE THAT THE BRAIN IS NOT BEING PER FUSED WE LOSE 100 9 MILLION NEURONS.

RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IN MARYLAND WECUSE BE FAST.

IT STANDS FOR THE B IS FOR BALANCE.

ANY ONSET OF DIZZINESS, HEALTHCARE, LOSS OF BALANCE.

ANY DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

THE E IS FOR EYES.

ANY LOSS OF VISION, PERIPHERAL VISION OR DOUBLE VISION.

AND WE LOOK AT THE FACE.

F IS FOR FACE.

WE LOOK AT ANY FACIAL DROOPING IS ONE SIDE OF YOUR FACE IS DROOPED AND UNABLE TO SWALLOW.

WE LOOK AT THE A, THAT IS FOR YOUR ARMS.

WE HAVE PATIENTS HOLD THEIR ARMS UP.

YOU CAN HAVE AN ACUTE ONSET OF WEAKNESS IN ONE SIDE OF YOUR BODY OR THE OTHER OR BOTH OF YOUR LEGS GOING NUMB AND THEN WE LOOK AT THE S WHICH IS FOR PEACH STPHEU SLURRED SPEECH OR WORD FINDING DIFFICULTIES AND THE T TIME.

TIME IS TRULY BRAIN BECAUSE WE LOSE 1.9 MILLION NEURONS PER MINUTE.

>> Jeff: AND YOU ARE USING A.I.

IN THE RECOGNITION OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

THIS IS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT?

>> YES.

SO UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND WE USE THESE A.I.

APPLICATIONS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

SO WHEN WE IMAGE THESE PATIENTS THAT ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE A STROKE, IT UPLOADS THOSE IMAGES TO AN APP WHICH NEUROLOGISTS ER PROVIDERS AND STROKE COORDINATOR HAD THE APP IT IMPROVING OUR RECOGNITION USED AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL AND EXPEDITES THE TRIAGE AND GETTING THEM TO TREATMENT AND CARE FASTER THAN WE WERE USING BEFORE.

>> Jeff: AND MORTALITY HAS BEEN REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY.

GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE HAVING A STROKE.

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THAT?

>> IMPROVING MORTALITY, AGAIN, IS BY PROMOTING PREVENTION.

IF WE CAN'T PROMOTE PREVENTION AND WE HAVE A PATIENT THAT IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING A STROKE, WE IMPLEMENT THESE TECHNOLOGIES THAT HELP US EXPEDITE THE CARE AND WE GET THESE PATIENTS TO CARE AS FAST AS WE CAN.

>> Jeff: HOW OFTEN IS IT CONNECTED WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WHICH WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT?

I THINK IT IS A Dr. J RADIO AD FOR ONE OF THE DRUGS THAT IS USED BUT PEOPLE CAN HAVE THAT AND NOT KNOW THEY HAVE IT.

>> AFIB CAN BE ASYMPTOMATIC AND NOT KNOW THEY ARE IN IT, IT DOES POSE A RISK AND INCREASES THEIR RISK FOR SUFFERING AN ACUTE STROKE.

WE HAVE TWO TYPES OF STROKE IT'S HEMORRHAGIC WHICH IS BLEEDING ANDS SCHEMIC, A CLOT BLOCKING BLOOD FLOW AND THEY ACCOUNTED FOR 88% OF OUR STROKES AND 94% OF THOSE STROKES ARE CAUSED BY ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL CENTER CONSORTIUM?

EVERY HOSPITAL HAS ONE STROKE COORDINATOR THAT IN CHARGE OF THEIR STROKE PROGRAM AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC.

SO THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STROKE COORDINATOR CONSORTIUM WE MEET MONTHLY AND WE LOOK AT OUR PROTOCOLS TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THEM.

WE LOOK AT EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE AND WE SHARE IDEAS AND TRY TO IMPROVE CARE NOT ONLY AS A SYSTEM BUT AS A STATE.

THERE IS A MARYLAND STROKE COORDINATOR CONSORTIUM I AM THE SECRETARY FOR THAT AND WE WORK WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BUT EVERY STROKE COORDINATOR IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU TRACK IS THE DOOR TO NEEDLE TIME.

WHAT NEEDLE?

>> OUR DOOR TO NEEDLE TIME THAT IS A MEASURE IN STROKE THAT IT MEANS THE TIME IT TAKES FROM A PATIENT CROSSING OUR THRESHOLD IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO THE TIME THAT THEY RECEIVE THE IV WHICH IS THE CLOT BUSTER DRUG TO HELP TREAT STROKE.

THE NATIONAL STANDARD IS LESS THAN 60 MINUTES TO ADMINISTER THIS IV FROM ARRIVAL.

AND SO THERE ARE A THE OF THINGS 60 MINUTES SOUNDS LIKE A LONGTIME, BUT THAT MEANS THE PATIENT IS BEING REGISTERED ASSESSED BY A PETITION WE ARE GETTING VITAL SIGNS AND IV AND A FINGER STICK.

WE'RE SENDING BLOOD WORK.

WE ARE GETTING IMAGES OF THESE PATIENTS WE ARE TALKING TO NEUROLOGY.

WE TRY TO DO THAT UNDER 60 MINUTES.

AND THE FASTER THAT WE ADMINISTER THE DRUG THE BETTER THE OUTCOMES ARE FOR THESE PATIENTS.

>> Jeff: AND THE OUTCOMES CAN BE GOOD.

THE MEDICINES ARE A GAME-CHANGER.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE SOMEBODY CERTAINLY PEOPLE ARE FEARFUL OF STROKES BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN PEOPLE BECOME DISABLED.

BUT HOW OFTEN CAN SOMEBODY WALKOUT OF THE HOSPITAL AFTER ONE?

>> IF PATIENTS ARRIVE WITH THE GOLDEN HOUR IF WE CAN TREAT PATIENTPATIENTS WITH IV OR ACUTE THERAPY WITHIN THAT FIRST 60 MINUTES THE BETTER THE OUTCOME.

AGAIN, WE LOSE 1.9 MILLION NEURONS THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNITION OF STROKE SYMPTOMS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PATIENTS THAT WANT TO WAIT AND SLEEP IT OFF BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS TRULY A STROKE SYMPTOM.

STROKE SYMPTOMS ARE VAGUE AND THEY DIFFER FROM PERSON TO PERSON THEY CAN BE MILD OR SEVERE AND TRANSIENT THEY CAN COME AND GO.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT BY USING THAT B FAST ALGORITHM AND GETTING TO THE HOSPITAL AS SOON AS THE SYMPTOMS START BY CALLING 911.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS A CRITICAL DECISION.

LIFE CHANGING DECISION FOR SOMEBODY.

WHAT MIGHT MAKE SOMEBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS WE DISCUSSED, THE B FAST ACRONYM WHAT MIGHT MAKE THEM DECIDE I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE A NAP AND SEE IF IT GETS BETTER.

>> HISTORICALLY AND NATIONALLY PATIENTS ARE ARRIVING TO OUR HOSPITALS OUTSIDE OF A TREATMENT WINDOW.

WE ONLY HAVE ONE SET OF SYMPTOMS TO FOUR-AND-A-HALF HOURS TO ADMINISTER THIS IV TO PATIENTS.

AGAIN, TIME TRULY IS BRAIN.

>> Jeff: DOES IT HAPPEN AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE DAY?

YOU'VE BEEN IN THE EMT CHAIR, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, WITH OTHER CONDITIONS, MANY HEAR ABOUT BABIES BEING BORN IN A FULL MOON IS THERE SOMETHING SIMILAR WITH STROKE, TIME OF THE DAY OR DAY OF THE WEEK?

>> I WISH IT WAS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE NOT.

THEY CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME ANY AGE.

THIS USED TO BE A DISEASE PROCESS THAT WAS THOUGHT TO JUST HAPPEN TO OLDER PEOPLE.

BUT PATIENTS CAN HAVE A STROKE AT ANY TIME FROM IN THE WOMB UP UNTIL 100.

>> Jeff: WOW.

WHAT IS THE EVALUATION WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A.I., BUT AS A NURSE, HOW DO YOU EVALUATE SOMEBODY WITH A SUSPECTED STROKE?

>> WE UTILIZE AN NIH STROKE SCALE A VERY LARGE SCALE IT HAS MULTIPLE DIFFERENT COMPONENTS THAT ASSESS FROM YOUR MENTAL STATUS FROM YOUR AWARENESS TO YOUR PHYSICAL DEFICITS AND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS LEVEL OF DISABILITY.

WE LOOK TO SEE IF WHAT DEFICITS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING ARE TRULY DEBILITATING TO THEM LIVING THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> Jeff: C.D.C.

SAYS MOST STROKES ARE PREVENTIBLE.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THAT?

>> THE TWO THINGS THAT I WOULD LOVE PEOPLE TO KNOW IS TO NUMBER ONE, SMOKING POSES THE LARGEST RISK FOR HAVING A VOKE.

SO SMOKING CESSATION IS HUGE.

THE WAY TO PREVENT STROKE WE HAVE TWO TYPES OF RISK FACTORS WE LOOK AT IN THESE PATIENTS.

NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS.

THESE ARE INHERENT FACTORS THAT PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH, AGE, RACE, GENDER, ETHNICITY.

WE CAN'T CHANGE THOSE.

BUT WHAT WE CAN CHANGE IS OUR MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS.

SMOKING CESSATION, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP OUR BLOOD PRESSURE UNDER CONTROL OUR DIABETES UNDER CONTROL OUR CHOLESTEROL.

WE ARE GOING TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE HAVE A LOW FAT, LOW SALT DIET.

>> AND YOU BENEFIT FROM THOSE THINGS IN OTHER WAYS HEART DISEASE AS WELL.

>> YES.

STROKE AND CARDIAC DISEASE GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.

IF YOU ARE DECREASING THE RISK FACTORS JUST FOR STROKE YOU ARE LOWERING THESE FOR YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A HEART ATTACK.

>> Jeff: THAT IS A GOOD DEAL.

TALK ABOUT TIA'S, TEMPORARY IS THE T?

>> TIA'S IT'S CALLED AA TRANSIENT ASCHEMIC ATTACK THESE OCCUR WITH ONSET SYMPTOMS.

IT LOOKS LIKE A STROKE, BUT THEN IT COMPLETELY 100% RESOLVES WITHIN 24 HOURS.

GENERALLY MUCH FASTER WITHIN 20 MINUTES.

UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF PATIENTS THINK THE SYMPTOMS WENTZ AWAY I DON'T NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

I SAW THAT AS A PARAMEDIC AND ER NURSE.

BUT WHAT I WOULD LOVE THE PUBLIC TO TAKE IS A TIA IS A WARNING SIGN IT MEANS THERE IS A CLOT SOMEWHERE THAT WAS OBSTRUCTING THAT BLOOD FLOW AND IT DECIDED TO TRAVEL DOWN A VESSEL OR ANOTHER BUT IT WAS A WARNING SIGN AND PATIENTS WHO EXPERIENCE TIA'S ARE AT A LARGE HE HAVE RISK FOR HAVING A LARGER STROKE WHERE IT DOES NOT RESOLVE IN THE FUTURE.

>> Jeff: SOMEBODY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF ONE OF THOSE, YOU WOULD WANT THEM TO CALL 911 AND COME TO THE HOSPITAL.

FOR SOME REASON THEY WAITED AND IT'S RESOLVED.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO AT THAT POINT?

>> EVEN IF YOUR SYMPTOMS RESOLVE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO COME INTO THE HOSPITAL AND WE DO A LOT OF TESTINGS SURROUNDING THE RISK FACTORS I TALKED ABOUT.

AND LOOKING TO SEE WHICH ONES WE CAN MODIFY TO PREVENT THIS PATIENT FROM HAVING A STROKE IN THE FUTURE.

WE DO A LOT OF TESTING.

WE LOOK AT CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AND YOUR HEART AND LOOK AT YOUR CORRECT ROD I HAD ARTERIES AND THE PLAQUE IN YOUR NECK BMI AND DIABETES SO SEE WHAT YOUR A1C IS.

WE WILL HELP THE PATIENTS MODIFY RISK FACTORS TO PREVENT A LARGER EVENT.

>> Jeff: AND THERE IS ANOTHER KIND OF STROKE BEYOND THE DISCUSSION POINT HERE BUT IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF CONNECTED TO THAT?

>> THE OTHER TYPE OF STROKE IS HEMORRHAGIC IT'S 12% OF OUR STROKES NATIONALLY.

THESE STROKES TEND TO HAVE A MORE POOR PROGNOSIS.

AGAIN, SYMPTOM RECOGNITION, EARLY ACTIVATION OF 911.

>> Jeff: LINDSAY GOFF WITH UPPER CHESAPEAKE HEALTH.

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION".

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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